An Eastern Cape ward councillor has found herself in hot water after she was arrested over allegations of defrauding the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality.
Thuliswa Jotile, 55, appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes on Thursday.
She was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) on Wednesday.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said it is alleged that during 2018, Jotile approached a man to register a business entity under his name.
The company would provide services of catering and transport for the municipality.
The Hawks said the business was successfully registered with the help of Jotile.
It is further alleged that once the business was operational, Jotile took control of all the company documents, bank card and bank pin number.
“She also allegedly registered her cellphone number for bank notification in order to be aware of every transaction of the business,” said Mhlakuvana.
The Hawks said the municipality picked up some discrepancies and the matter was reported to the Hawks.
“The investigations by the Hawks divulged that the suspect had intentionally and unlawfully conducted a business with the Municipality, as she was not entitled to do so as a Municipal employee since that would amount to the conflict of interests.
“Further investigation revealed that she purposely requested the complainant to open a business in order for her to unduly benefit from the Municipality.”
The Municipality suffered a financial loss to the value of R16, 800.
Jotile was released on bail of R2,000 and will return to court later this month for an exchange of case documents with her legal representatives.
IOL News